Your Tanning Cheat Sheet

Unless you’re a regular on the cast of TOWIE, chances are that you struggle to achieve that golden glow all year round. Plus, if you’re anything like us, you would have had far too many orange-toned disasters to want to waste a whole evening attempting to achieve sun-kissed skin. Thankfully, Vita Liberata have the solution in the form of their new Ten Minute Tan – an innovative formula that you can slap on, shower off in 10 minutes, then leave for a few hours to develop into a golden glow. Win! Here’s our tips for getting the perfect sunless tan, without the effort…

Choosing the Right Type of Self-Tanner

Self-tanners come in a wide range of formulations, from lotions to mousses to gels. No matter what, try and pick a product with a guide colour, or a light tint (like the Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan!) so that you can see where the colour is going. Lotions are great for beginners because they take a little bit longer to absorb into the skin, which means you can correct any mistakes. Next are gels, which are easy to spread and work well for people with normal or oily skin. Mousses are more like a liquid and their slightly higher alcohol content makes them dry faster. These are good for self-tanning experts who want to quickly cover a lot of area.

Make Sure the Colour Works For You

Whatever type of tanner you choose, make sure to test it on a small patch of skin first. Your stomach is a great place to start, because it’s usually pale and you can see it when you stand up and look in the mirror. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so even if a colour looks golden on a friend, it might look different on you! Vita Liberata have loads of formulas and shades – so have fun experimenting until you find your must-have product!

Prep Before You Tan

Before you tan, make sure to exfoliate your entire body. It’ll prolong your tan and prevent any splotching or flaking. When you’re ready to apply, always use a tanning mitt so that you don’t end up with brown hands. Put a little moisturiser on dry spots like elbows and ankles before you apply tanner to avoid over-saturating those areas. If you think you’ve applied too much, use a towel or washcloth to lightly buff the area and soak up excess product. No matter when you tan, be sure to let the formula dry completely and avoid water — shower, pool — for six to eight hours. Or, if you’re using the Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan, just wait 10 minutes and then hop into the shower!

Maintenance

Three days after tanning, exfoliate lightly. The tan will be coming off anyway and you don’t want it to fade unevenly. Avoid using heavy lotions, which can make the tan slide off onto clothes.

Troubleshooting

If you end up streaky, get in a bathtub and soak it off. Sit in water for 20 – 25 minutes, use a good body scrub, and try to get the colour off.